Apparatus and method for generation of optical signals

ABSTRACT

A laser system is disclosed wherein a tunable laser signal has encoded within it information related to its wavelength at any instant in time. This encoding in one example is performed by modulating the signal to contain its wavelength information. This is particularly useful in a distributed system for testing optical components, wherein at a test site, the test station must determine the wavelength of light at which a component was tested.

This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/009,924 now U.S. Pat. No. 6,061,124 filed Jan. 21, 1998, which is a continuation of patent application Ser. No. 08/801,119 now U.S. Pat. No. 5,896,193 filed Feb. 14, 1997.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to providing a laser system having a laser signal with information encoded therein related to its wavelength at a given instant in time.

There are several ways of testing an optical component for loss and other characteristics. For example, a single optical signal of known wavelength and amplitude can be launched into a component, and losses can be deduced from a signal measured at the output of the device. Alternatively, a plurality of signals can be launched into the device sequentially and similar measurements made for each wavelength. In a manufacturing and production environment, it is preferable to test devices over a range of wavelengths of interest as quickly as possible. Generally, a testing station for testing optical components requires a very costly tunable laser. In operation, these lasers are tuned to a plurality of wavelengths, one at a time, and have their output signal fed into a device under test (DUT). The purpose of providing a signal to a DUT at various wavelengths within a predetermined range of wavelengths, is to detect losses through the DUT at each or at several wavelengths of interest. Of course it would be possible to provide signals from several discrete lasers to a DUT, however, in a production environment, such a scheme would likely not be practicable. When using a tunable laser as mentioned above, it is preferred if electronic circuitry is provided to correlate an output response for the DUT with a particular wavelength of light propagating through the device at a particular instant in time.

Systems are currently known that employ a tunable laser in which the tuning mechanism stops at each wavelength to be tested. However, this process takes several minutes when a large number (i.e.>100) of wavelengths are to be measured. The wavelength accuracy is limited by the mechanical tolerances of the tuning mechanism.

It is an object of this invention to provide a laser system having means for encoding the wavelength of an optical signal within that signal.

It is an object of this invention to provide an apparatus for determining the wavelength of a tunable laser signal while it is tuning, so that the tuning mechanism does not have to stop at each wavelength, thus speeding up the measurement. The wavelength accuracy is not affected by the mechanical tolerances of the tuning mechanism.

It is an object of this invention, to provide a central system, which generates signals for testing optical devices at a plurality of testing stations, remote from the central system.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a system having one tunable laser for generating a plurality of signals to a plurality of test stations simultaneously.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a system for testing a plurality of devices simultaneously.

It is a further object of the invention to provide an apparatus responsive to an input signal of varying wavelengths, for testing a plurality of devices at a plurality of locations.

It is yet a further object to provide an optical signal that can be distributed to a plurality of remote test locations and wherein wavelength information is encoded within the optical signal and providing remote testing stations with means to decode the signal dynamically to determine its wavelength and to correlate a particular test with a particular wavelength.

STATEMENT OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the invention, there is provided, an apparatus for testing an optical component, comprising:

a) means for encoding a first optical signal having a wavelength that changes in time, from a higher wavelength to a lower wavelength or from a lower wavelength to a higher wavelength with timing information that corresponds to the first optical signal being at a predetermined wavelength at a particular instant in time;

b) a test station including:

means for deriving from the encoded first optical signal, information relating to the wavelength of the first optical signal at a particular instant in time;

means for correlating test information with the derived wavelength information to determine an output response for the optical component to the first optical signal and to determine the wavelength of the first optical signal that produced the output response.

In accordance with the invention, there is provided, an apparatus for testing an optical component, comprising:

means for encoding a first optical signal that varies in wavelength with information relating to its wavelength.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention, there is provided, a method of generating a test signal for broadcast to a plurality of locations for testing optical devices, comprising the steps of:

a) generating a first laser signal that varies in wavelength from a first lower wavelength to a higher upper wavelength or vice versa sweeping through a plurality of wavelengths therebetween;

providing a synchronization signal for indicating when the first laser signal is at a predetermined frequency;

modulating the first laser signal that varies in wavelength to encode information therein corresponding to a plurality wavelengths of the first optical signal at a plurality of instants in time;

providing the modulated first laser signal to a test station; providing the first laser signal to an optical device for testing said device;

deriving wavelength information relating to the first laser signal from the modulated first laser signal;

and, correlating test information with the derived wavelength information.

In accordance with the invention, there is provided, a method of generating a test signal for broadcast to a plurality of locations for testing optical devices, comprising the steps of:

a) generating a first laser signal that varies in wavelength from a first lower wavelength to a higher upper wavelength sweeping through a plurality of wavelengths therebetween;

providing a synchronization signal for indicating when the first laser signal is at a predetermined frequency;

modulating the first laser signal that varies in wavelength to encode information therein corresponding to a plurality wavelengths of the first optical signal at a plurality of instants in time;

providing the modulated first laser signal to a test station;

providing the modulated first laser signal to an optical device for testing said device;

deriving wavelength information relating to the first laser signal from the modulated first laser signal;

and, correlating test information with the derived wavelength information.

In accordance with yet another aspect of the invention, there is provided, tunable laser signal for use in an optical system, the tunable laser signal having a wavelength that is controllably variable within predetermined limits, comprising:

a decodable signature encoded within the tunable laser signal that corresponds to its particular wavelength at a different instants in time as the its wavelength varies.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Exemplary embodiments of the invention will now be described in conjunction with the drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of a first embodiment of the invention wherein a first laser signal and timing signal generator block provide signals to a test station block for testing an optical device;

FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram of a second embodiment of the invention wherein a first laser signal and timing signal generator block provided signals to multiple test stations;

FIG. 3 is a graph showing the output characteristics of a fibre Bragg grating;

FIG. 4 is a graph showing the output characteristics of an etalon in accordance with this invention;

FIG. 5 is a block circuit diagram of an alternative embodiment of the invention including circuitry for FM modulation and demodulation of a timing signal;

FIG. 6 is a block circuit diagram similar to that of FIG. 5 and including means for deriving synchronization information relating to the scanning laser output signal wavelength;

FIG. 7a is a detailed block circuit diagram of a circuit for deriving synchronization information and for modulating the scanning laser output signal with wavelength information;

FIG. 7b is a graph of two filters output responses depicting wavelength versus amplitude; and,

FIG. 8 is a detailed block circuit diagram of an alternative circuit for deriving synchronization information and for modulating the scanning laser output signal with wavelength information.

DETAILED DESCRRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Turning now to FIG. 1, a high level block diagram is shown of a first embodiment of the invention of a test system 8 wherein a first block 30 of optical circuitry and components provides a variable wavelength optical signal for launching into a DUT 26 within a second block 40 a. In the first block 30, the variable wavelength optical signal in the form of a tunable laser signal S_(L) is combined with a timing signal S_(T) for determining wavelength information relating to the tunable laser signal S_(L). The purpose of separating the circuitry into these two blocks 30 and 40 a is to isolate and separate two primary functions: firstly, that of producing a variable wavelength optical signal with an associated timing signal for providing timing information relating to the variable wavelength optical signal, and secondly, the function of testing the device or component of interest along with providing the necessary circuitry for doing so in response to the two signals S_(L) and S_(T). Furthermore, the separation into these two blocks has significant cost advantages as well. For example, by using a splitter 43 to split the variable wavelength optical signal along with its corresponding timing signal into two same signals, another test station 40 b (not shown) identical to block 40 a can be provided with test and timing signals. Since the most costly part of the entire system 8 is in the block 30 containing the tunable laser, this system obviates the requirement of providing duplication of the tunable laser to provide test signals to two or more separate test stations.

Referring now in more detail to the system 8, block 30 includes a tunable laser 10 capable of being tuned over a wavelength range of interest of 1520 nm to 1570 nm. The tunable laser 10 repeatedly varies its output starting at 1520 nm increasing continuously to 1570 nm. After reaching 1570 the laser it returns to 1520 nm and continues from 1520 nm again. Thus the laser sweeps across the wavelength range, and continues repeatedly. A 5% tap 12 is provided to receive the output signal S_(L) from the laser, passing 5% to a timing signal generator 14, and passing 95% of the optical signal S_(L) onwards to a means 16 of combining this signal with a timing signal S_(T).The timing signal generator determines from the small portion of the output signal S_(L), when the signal S_(L) is at a predetermined wavelength, for example, when its wavelength is 1520 nm. Then the timing signal generator 14, generates the timing signal S_(T) which indicates that the signal S_(L) is at a wavelength of 1520 nm. At a subsequent time when the laser wavelength reaches the next wavelength of interest, for example 1520.01 nm, a subsequent pulse in the timing signal is sent indicating 1520.01 nm. As both of the signals S_(L) and S_(T) are combined by a coupling means 16, care is taken to ensure that the timing signal is at a wavelength that differs from the signal S_(L) so that the data content of the signal S_(L) is not affected. Essentially, the timing signal serves as a marker or indication which can be used by the block 40 a, and more particularly the means for determining wavelength information 20 to calibrate the wavelength of the signal S_(L) at specific times corresponding to the timing signal. Conveniently a splitter 43 is provided to split the signals S_(L) and S_(T) into other signals S_(L) and S_(T) that can be routed to one or more other test stations 40 b, 40 c . . . etc. (not shown). Of course alternatively, the timing signal could be an electrical signal distributed by electrical means.

The second block 40 a includes means in the form of a WDM filter 18 for separating the composite signal S_(L) and S_(T) into two separate signals. The signal S_(T) is provided to the means for determining wavelength information 20, which also receives information from detectors 22 and 24. Of course several detectors 22 can be included for simultaneously detecting the output of a multi-output DUT such as a WDM. Substantially the entire signal S_(L) output from the filter 18 is provided to the DUT 26; a small portion, 10% is provided to the detector 24. The output signal from the DUT 26 is directed to the detector 22. In operation the detector 24 relatively determines the intensity of the input signal to the DUT 26 and provides this information to the means 20. The actual intensity or power measured at the output of the DUT 26 is provided by the detector 22 to the same means 20; thus the means 20 can calculate the loss through the DUT 26 and can determine the corresponding wavelength of the signal S_(L) for that particular loss calculation, in dependence upon the timing signal. Since the timing signal indicates the instant the signal S_(L) is at a wavelength of 1520 nm., a determination can be made as to the wavelength of the signal S_(L) at other instants in time. An embodiment for realizing this function will be described in more detail with reference to FIG. 2.

Referring now to FIG. 2, a small portion of an output signal S_(L) of a tunable laser 10 is tapped by 5% optical taps 12, 12 b and 12 c, for providing three tap signals S_(Ta), S_(Tb) and S_(Tc) which are provided to a timing signal generation circuit 14. Within this circuit 14, a fixed etalon 31, a fiber Bragg grating (FBG) 32 and electronic circuitry 33 provide a means of generating a pulsed modulation signal SM comprising a train of pulses having 0.01 nm increments in wavelength of the signal S_(L). The first pulse in the train of pulses, derived from the output of the FBG 32 and the output of the fixed etalon 31, corresponds to the signal S_(L) being at a wavelength of 1520 nm; the second pulse corresponds to the signal S_(L) being at a wavelength of 1520.01 nm; the third pulse corresponds to the signal S_(L) being at a wavelength of 1520.02 nm, and so on, and the last pulse in the train of pulses, corresponds to the to the signal S_(L) being at a wavelength of 1570 nm; Since the input signal S_(T) to the fixed etalon varies in wavelength, and the etalon is selected to have a free spectral range of 1.25 GHz or about 0.01 nm. within the range of 1520 to 1570 nm, the output signal of the fixed etalon 31 is a periodic signal. FIG. 4 shows the desired output characteristic of the etalon 31. The distance between etalon reflective surfaces is calculated as follows:

Etalon FSR[nm]=λ²/2nd

Etalon FSR[GHz]=c/2nd

where c=the speed of light; n=the refractive index of the material between the reflective surfaces; and d=the distance between etalon reflective surfaces.

The FBG 32 is designed to reflect the input signal when its wavelength is 1520 nm., thus providing an indication to the circuitry corresponding to a starting point, in the train of pulses. This is illustrated in FIG. 3 where at the threshold transmission level, the start is indicated to be at 1520 nm. The electronic circuit 20 in response to the periodic output from the etalon 31 and the indication of when the signal S_(L) is at a wavelength of 1520 nm., generates the modulation signal S_(M) which is provided to a 1310 nm. laser 34. In response to the signal S_(M) the laser generates a train a pulses, at a wavelength of 1310 nm. having spaced apart in time, corresponding to 0.01 nm. increments of the tunable laser signal S_(T).Thus, the modulation signal is converted to a 1310 nm. laser pulsed signal S_(LP) having a wavelength significantly different from the signal S_(L) which varies between 1520 and 1570 nm. Before the signals S_(LP) and S_(L) are combined, the signal S_(L) is amplified by an erbium doped fibre amplifier (EDFA). The EDFA may be necessary to ensure that there is sufficient optical power at each test station to perform the loss measurement on the DUT. A tunable filter 17 tracks the laser wavelength, transmitting the laser signal but blocking the spontaneous emission of the EDFA or laser at wavelengths other than the 30 laser wavelength.

A wavelength division multiplexor 16 combines the amplified signal S_(L) and the signal S_(LP) into a composite signal S_(L)S_(LP) which are fed to a 1 by 8 splitter 43 thereby providing 8 test signals. Thus, 8 test stations 40 a, 40 b . . . 40 h can be provided at different locations within a building, with the required signals and signal information with which to test optical devices. Using the device shown in FIG. 2, it takes approximately 1 second to test a DUT at a plurality of wavelengths from 1520 nm. to 1570 nm. in increments of about 0.01 nm which corresponds to approximately 5000 data points.

In the embodiment shown in the circuit 14 of FIG. 2, an etalon is used as a means of providing a periodic signal as the input signal sweeps from 1520 to 1570 nm. Of course the etalon may be substituted with other suitable interferometric means. Further the FBG 32 is used as a means of acquiring a relatively precise indication of its input signal being at 1520 nm. Once again, various other means can be envisaged for indicating when the input signal is at 1520 nm. The fixed etalon and FBG have been chosen in the preferred embodiment after considering cost and availability. Preferably, temperature stabilization means 29 are provided to ensure that the output of the characteristics of the etalon remain as constant as possible.

The timing signal S_(T) need not be combined with the tunable laser signal S_(L). Instead a second optical fiber, or a wire, can be use to transmit the timing signal to each test station. The signals are combined in the preferred embodiment to simplify the distribution of the signals among the test stations; or, alternatively, the tunable laser itself can be modulated to transmit the timing signal.

The laser signal S_(L) can be distributed to many more than 8 test stations. The limiting factor is that sufficient optical power be present at detectors 22 and 24 to perform the loss measurement. If necessary, the laser signal S_(L) could be split after 17, and re-amplified and split again. In this way an unlimited number of test stations can operate from one tunable laser (with multiple timing signals S_(T) provided.)

In FIG. 2 an optional polarization state controller 23 is shown to control the polarization state of the laser signal S_(L) transmitted to the DUT. By using this controller 23, the system can measure polarization dependent loss (PDL) at each wavelength. The controller 23 is set to one of 4 polarization states and one wavelength sweep is made, measuring the loss of the DUT at each wavelength. The controller 23 is then set to the second polarization state and a second wavelength sweep is made. At each wavelength, 4 polarization states can be used to calculate the average loss (over all polarization states) and PDL. A system and method of measuring polarization dependent loss can be found in U.S. Pat. No. 5,371,597 in the name of the applicant. The controller 23 can be placed directly after the tunable filter 17, thereby further economizing and obviating the need to have a polarization state controller 23 at each station.

Referring now to FIG. 5 an alternative embodiment of the invention is shown, wherein a tunable laser 50 having an port 53 for receiving or providing a synchronization control signal and an output port 51 for providing a variable wavelength optical signal in the form of a tunable laser signal S_(L). A frequency synthesiser 55 is responsive to a synchronization control signal provided by the tunable laser 50. Upon receiving a start pulse, the circuit 55 begins providing a modulator with frequency synthesized signal for modulation with tunable laser signal, there by providing an encoded or frequency modulated laser signal S_(LM) in the form of a frequency ramp indicative of the varying wavelength of the laser signal S_(L). The signal S_(LM) is then provided to a 1×N splitter 60 having outputs 60 a to 60 n. As is shown in the figure, the output 60 a is provided to a device under test (DUT) 62 after which the output signal having propagated through the device under test is analyzed. The signal is first demodulated removing the critical wavelength information or instantaneous wavelength signature, and retrieving the relevant test information from the demodulated signal S_(L).Alternatively, the signal S_(LM) can be demodulated prior to being provided to the DUT 62. Yet further alternatively and preferably, demodulation would not be required and the wavelength information encoded in the modulated signal is detected, for example by a frequency resolved detector that includes a frequency counter that measures the instantaneous frequency. Alternatively a local oscillator and a mixer can be used to convert the modulated frequency to a D.C. voltage.

In FIG. 6 means 56 are shown disposed between the laser 50 and the frequency synthesizer 55 for deriving and providing wavelength information to the frequency synthesizer 55 from a signal provided by the tunable laser 50 that corresponds in wavelength to the signal S_(L.)

Referring now to FIG. 7a, a portion of the system shown in FIG. 6 is illustrated; means 56 shown in FIG. 6 is embodied here as follows. At the output of the tunable scanning laser 50 a small portion of the signal S_(L) is extracted by a tap coupler 70. Two matched filters 72 a and 72 b are disposed to receive a same portion of the tapped signal S_(LT) from a 50:50 splitter 71, and two detectors 74 a and 74 b respectively are disposed to receive output signals from the filters 72 a and 72 b. Regions of the filters having opposite (negative and positive) slopes are used. A differential amplifier 76 is electrically coupled to receive output signals from the detectors 74 a and 74 b and to provide a signal to a modulator 57 that is proportional to the instantaneous wavelength of the signal S_(L).If required, a linearizing network 78 may be disposed between the differential amplifier 76 and the modulator 57.

FIG. 7b illustrates the output response of the two optical filters 72 a and 72 b and the region of the filters between the two vertical dashed lines shown that is used to achieve the advantages of this embodiment.

In operation, the circuit of FIG. 7a works in the following manner. The signal S_(LT) is tapped from the tunable laser output signal S_(L) and is split substantially equally between the two filters 72 a and 72 b. The power detected by detectors 74 a and 74 b is provided to the differential amplifier 76 which provides an output signal that is substantially proportional to the wavelength of the signal S_(L). This output signal may be linearized if required and then provided to a system to modulate the wavelength proportional signal with the signal S_(L). This modulated swept laser signal S_(LM) which includes its near instantaneous wavelength information is then provided to a device under test. Alternatively, as was heretofore described, the wavelength information can be multiplexed onto another optical carrier at an alternative wavelength using either digital or analog modulation techniques.

Turning now to FIG. 8 a circuit providing electronic synthesis of wavelength information is provided to communicate nearly instantaneous wavelength information of swept or changing signal S_(L) to an optical receiver not shown. In this embodment the signal S_(L) is tapped and the tapped signal S_(LT) is provided to a Fabry Perot etalon which generates optical pulses to a detector. The free spectral range of the etalon must be selected so as to An electronic counter 86 counts the number of pulses from the known start of a wavelength scan. An frequency synthesizer 88 in response to the counted value in the counter 86 converts the number of pulses stored by the counter into a nearly instantaneous frequency corresponding to the frequency of the signal S_(L). As described heretofore, this signal can be used as a modulation; the wavelength information can be multiplexed onto another optical carrier at an alternative wavelength using either digital or analog modulation techniques.

Of course numerous other embodiments can be envisaged without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A tunable laser system for providing a combined signal including a first optical signal and information related to the first optical signal encoded therein, the system comprising: a) a tunable laser for providing the first optical signal having a wavelength that changes in time, from a higher wavelength to a lower wavelength or from a lower wavelength to a higher wavelength; and b) means for encoding the first optical signal with timing information that corresponds to the first optical signal being at a predetermined wavelength at a particular instant in time.
 2. A laser system comprising: means for providing a first optical signal having a wavelength that changes in time, means for providing a timing signal indicative of the wavelength of the first optical signal at a particular instant in time, and, encoding means for encoding the first optical signal with the timing signal to produce a combined signal having a wavelength indication therein.
 3. A laser system as defined in claim 2, wherein the encoding means is an electronic means.
 4. A laser system as defined in claim 2, wherein the encoding means is an opto-electronic means.
 5. A laser system as defined in claim 2 further comprising means for varying the wavelength of the first optical signal.
 6. A laser system as defined in claim 2, further comprising means for receiving the combined signal, and means for decoding the combined signal to determine the wavelength of the first optical signal from the information encoded therein.
 7. A laser system as defined in claim 2, wherein the encoding means comprises means for modulating the first optical signal.
 8. An apparatus as defined in claim 2, further comprising means for amplifying the first optical signal.
 9. A tunable laser system as defined in claim 2, further comprising: a detector for detecting at least the first optical signal; and a difference circuit connected to receive signals from said detector for providing an electrical signal that is proportional to the wavelength of the first optical signal.
 10. A tunable laser system as defined in claim 2, wherein the encoding means comprises detecting means for detecting the instantaneous wavelength of the first optical signal, said detecting means including: an etalon; and means for counting pulses output from the etalon that correspond to the instantaneous wavelength of the first optical signal.
 11. A laser system comprising a tunable laser diode and means for encoding a signal from the tunable laser diode for generating a tunable laser signal for use in an optical system, having a wavelength that is controllably variable within predetermined limits, the tunable laser signal comprising: a decodable signature encoded within the tunable laser signal that corresponds to the tunable laser signal's particular wavelength at a different instants in time as the wavelength varies.
 12. A laser system as defined in claim 11 wherein the signature is encoded by modulation of the tunable laser signal.
 13. A laser system as defined in claim 12 wherein the amplitude of the output signal is substantially constant for different wavelengths of light. 